OT: MSU football players get better education in prison
Plaxico Burress has learned that prison has benefits. He discovered that he enjoys learning through reading.
"It was one of those deals that kind of grew on me," Burress told Newsday. "Ever since I went to prison and in my spare time, I try to read as much as I can. Having a lot of time, I found something that became something I love to do. And that's gather information through reading, expanding my knowledge. I never would have known that if I didn't go through what I went through."
"Reading never would have been on my radar," he told Newsday. "Now my wife comes into the room at night and I'm reading my book, she just starts laughing. It's something that gives me peace."
The article is at http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201112/nfl-star-becomes-bookworm-a…
The article reaffirms my faith in humanity.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
LIke this?
December 16th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
As an engineering student I laugh at the premise of this conclusion.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
Don't kid yourself, that Vah'e Gregorian is a genius...
December 16th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^
I can haz teh State literacy?
December 16th, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
plax did not have access to a tutor in prison like he had at MSU
December 16th, 2011 at 8:21 PM ^
I've spent time volunteering in maximum security prisons, including on Death Row. We could all learn more than a little from spending some time in prisons. Don't underestimate some of the wisdom of the incarcerated.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
Look at that nigga cutty..
December 16th, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^
December 17th, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
I think you're really missing the point...
December 17th, 2011 at 11:44 AM ^
MSU is not as well-respected an institution of higher learning as UM--got it.
MSU graduates end up shooting themselves literally and figuratively--got it.
We should feel free to look at an MSU graduate who lacked an appreciation for reading and goes to prison as a symbol of all MSU graduates--got it.
Here's the point I missed in the OP--that it's really easy to marginalize and ridicule others, particularly when they're in an environment we don't really understand, whether that's being a player on an NFL team or an inmate in prison.
So what point did I miss?
December 17th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
Looking at your list of points you "get," you seem to have missed the one about how an athlete can be academically eligible at a BCS school for 3 years without ever reading.
December 17th, 2011 at 8:59 PM ^
I actually read the article. Where does it say he never read in college? It says he gained a love for reading in the penitentiary. There are probably one or two Michigan grads who aren't voracious readers as well.
December 19th, 2011 at 2:18 AM ^
"I found something that became something I love to do. And that's gather information through reading, expanding my knowledge."
December 16th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^
Come on man
December 16th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^
I opened this thread to say that we shouldn't make fun of other people's hardships. Then I read it and couldn't stop chuckling. Oh, Sparty...
December 16th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
Wow, Plax, just wow.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:34 PM ^
This is isn't even us ripping on State. Plaxico Burress basically said he learned how to read better in prison than he did at state. That's embarassing
December 16th, 2011 at 9:17 PM ^
I know this whole topic is in fun at MSUs expense, but come on. I think he meant that he learned how to ENJOY reading (for leisure). Would not surprise me if many athletes felt the same
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<br>#resumeMSU bashing
December 16th, 2011 at 10:34 PM ^
Yeah this. There's a place for Sparty bashing and all but good for him. He could obviously read but he, like most Americans, probably didn't find the time to or didn't care to read for pleasure. I'm genuinely happy that he and Vick managed to turn their lives around. Hate the football player but respect the man IMO.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^
December 17th, 2011 at 1:29 AM ^
Did you not read the article? He explicitly mentions reading to gain information and expand his knowledge.
December 17th, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
December 16th, 2011 at 9:33 PM ^
This college prof doesn't believe any university--MSU, UM, or otherwise--should be in the business of teaching students how to read. So Plaxico may have a point. In prison, reading is taught (and there's ample time to do it). In university, reading--or more precisely, the ability to do so--is assumed.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:38 PM ^
... it's a fluff piece, but if it helps a guy get his life in order, good for him.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:53 PM ^
I give Plax credit. Guy went to prison for a while when he was already approaching the end of his prime. He made his way back to the league and is a decent starter with big play ability. I am happy for him because he didn't really do anything particularly morally reprehensible. He was just incredibly stupid and lacked fashion sense. I feel like those sweat pants allowed for a lot of movement and led to the accident. A nice pair of jeans would have kept his fo-fo secure and thus far less likely to misfire. Live and learn, gents.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:53 PM ^
on BTN in 10 minutes
December 16th, 2011 at 9:37 PM ^
Thanks for the heads up. I was lucky enough to be at this game.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:25 PM ^
what a great game to attend. I remember how nervous I was for this game... what a season
When we go back to the national title game, I'll be one of those guys driving up stubhub prices to ridiculous levels. Because I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford it, and I'd never miss a chance to see something like this
Hey Lloyd has thrown like 3 bubbles so far
December 16th, 2011 at 9:49 PM ^
Kudos to the OP.
Reminds me of one of the unlikliest headlines in the history of journalism ("Free Plaxico Burress") in the unlikliest of all imaginable places (The Wall Street Journal):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122835270947177981.html
December 17th, 2011 at 12:36 AM ^
Seriously? Nobody else +1'd this? What's the world coming to?
December 16th, 2011 at 10:11 PM ^
Let's also hope that Boubacar learns to read during his time in prison.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:21 PM ^
he didnt even realize his wife was laughing at him because he was holding the book upside down.
Readin' be FUN-DA-MENTAL, yo!!!!!!!!!!
December 16th, 2011 at 10:45 PM ^
December 16th, 2011 at 10:45 PM ^
December 16th, 2011 at 10:46 PM ^
December 16th, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
Filed under ".gifs of videos that were trimmed too late."
December 16th, 2011 at 11:08 PM ^
December 17th, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^
Personally I enjoy laughing at Sparty's misfortunes, but let's give Plax some credit. He could've sit in jail and wasted that time doing nothing but feeling sorry for himself. He discovered a hobby that will probably at some point have us posting about how great Plax is for helping kids discover the joys of reading.
December 17th, 2011 at 10:27 PM ^
Compared to other receivers from the "fine institution" that is MSU (Charles Rogers), Plaxico is practically a role model.
I was completely tired of studying by the end of the 4th year and I gave it up. I started working part-time, but it was a pity to quit and I had to pass the tasks to the teachers. I remember that I ordered the essay on the paper writer website. In principle, I didn't care about grades. but I was surprised when my teachers gave me excellent grades for essays. It was nice.